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May, 2025

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Ski Advice for a snowboarder who is looking for redemption

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Tokyo_Dom
Posts: 5 - Karma: 41
I've ridden sideways since I was a kid (46 now), skating, surfing, snowboarding. But after one day of trying to teach my daughter (3 at the time) snowboarding I gave up and put her in a ski lesson. She loved it. And now her (7) and her younger brother (6) are starting to get quite good, I decided I can't keep giving her advice without any skiing experience myself. So I bought the cheapest freestyle twin tip setup I could find... Some Salomon Suspect from 2010 and holy crap I'm loving it. I always thought skiing was just carving straight down a mountain but I now know you can play with side hits, do butters and jumps just like snowboarders... I've seen the light and want to keep going.

But I've got no idea about skis. Asking friends, they are all just into carving and don't know about freestyle skis. I did a demo with Moment Frankenski and wow.... So much more control, and felt way lighter than my Salomon (even though they were 171 vs my 161cm). But now I see they aren't even very light?

I'm looking for ideas on something I can pick up secondhand. If there is something more playful or lighter than the Frankenski, that would be awesome.

LOCATION: Japan
HEIGHT/AGE/WEIGHT: 5'7"(171cm)/46/165lb(75kg)
ABILITY LEVEL: can parallel ski, small jumps, learning to ride switch, have done a couple of 180s on side hits
BUDGET: USD$400 (secondhand)
WHAT KIND OF SKI DO YOU WANT: Playful, light, for side hits, small-medium jump line, and buttering
a month ago
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,260
There are a lot of good secondhand skis in Japan, you could really go to any shop that sells used gear and find something that would suit you. The Frankenski is a great option for sure, idk if you will find something better as a playful park ski.
RMU Rippah, 4frnt switch, Fischer Nightstick 97, Volkl Revolt 95, Salomon Depart are good ones to look at too.
https://soothski.com/ This is a good tool to compare skis
a month ago
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Tokyo_Dom
Posts: 5 - Karma: 41
skiP.E.I.There are a lot of good secondhand skis in Japan, you could really go to any shop that sells used gear and find something that would suit you. The Frankenski is a great option for sure, idk if you will find something better as a playful park ski.
RMU Rippah, 4frnt switch, Fischer Nightstick 97, Volkl Revolt 95, Salomon Depart are good ones to look at too.
https://soothski.com/ This is a good tool to compare skis


Strangely, i've been looking since the start of winter (when i decided i would give it a go), but rarely, if ever see any twin tipped skis in the shops. There are a bunch on the secondhand marketplace sites, but hard to search when you dont even know which is a park ski and which is a powder ski lol. But thank you for the other suggestions, it gives me things to search for now!
a month ago
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5098 - Karma: 18,685
I'd take a look at the K2 Reckoner 102, not the most durable ski if you're planning to ski rails extensively but it is super fun around the mountain, on side hits, etc. and doesn't take a lot of speed to have fun which is good for skiing with kids.

Also the Armada ARV 88, 94, 96, 100.
a month ago
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Lippamani
Posts: 1533 - Karma: 16,486
I disagree with both posts above. K2 reckonors k2 poachers and fisher nightsticks are my 3 least favorite skis. Poachers are like 2x4s with no soul
Reckonors broke instantly
Nightsticks are indestructible but zero playfulness they are imo 100% jump skis.
a month ago
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Lippamani
Posts: 1533 - Karma: 16,486
I'd look into gilson fusions or on3p mango 90s or vishnu keys

Snowshare on Instagram is your friend.
a month ago
3 7
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,260
LippamaniI disagree with both posts above. K2 reckonors k2 poachers and fisher nightsticks are my 3 least favorite skis. Poachers are like 2x4s with no soul
Reckonors broke instantly
Nightsticks are indestructible but zero playfulness they are imo 100% jump skis.


The new nightstick 97 is pretty soft and playful. Granted I’m big enough to flex most skis but they’re for sure softer than the franks. Just less rocker
a month ago
1 0
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5098 - Karma: 18,685
LippamaniI'd look into gilson fusions or on3p mango 90s or vishnu keys

Snowshare on Instagram is your friend.

He's in Japan so I doubt any boutique American skis are going to be available in his $400- ish price range?
a month ago
4 0
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No-Skill-Phil
Posts: 95 - Karma: 451
Line bacon 108 would be good daily for mainland Japan if you are looking for a soft, park-ish twin tip. You could probably find a new pair in that insane “snow sports” district in Tokyo for under 400usd. I skied the fatter 115 version in Japan and loved it.

If you’re looking secondhand, they changed the construction this season to be a bit more beefy. The older version was called the “sir Francis bacon” and was softer with funny convex tips, and those were not known for being durable. New design seems better in that regard.
a month ago
2 0
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Tokyo_Dom
Posts: 5 - Karma: 41
Non_State_ActorHe's in Japan so I doubt any boutique American skis are going to be available in his $400- ish price range?

Yeah not coming up with any hits on those brands unfortunately 😔
No-Skill-PhilLine bacon 108 would be good daily for mainland Japan if you are looking for a soft, park-ish twin tip. You could probably find a new pair in that insane “snow sports” district in Tokyo for under 400usd. I skied the fatter 115 version in Japan and loved it.

This one is coming up (unfortunately showing me all the past deals), so I might keep looking for a set of these. Will also keep an eye out for fischer nightstick 97s and even k2 reckoner.

Ahh I hate that my season is over until December but will be a good time to look for deals
a month ago
2 0
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,260
Tokyo_DomStrangely, i've been looking since the start of winter (when i decided i would give it a go), but rarely, if ever see any twin tipped skis in the shops. There are a bunch on the secondhand marketplace sites, but hard to search when you dont even know which is a park ski and which is a powder ski lol. But thank you for the other suggestions, it gives me things to search for now!

If you are ever in Hakuba, there's a shop called Rapie where they had a great selection of used skis and gear they were selling on commission and the prices were quite reasonable. Don't look for just park skis either, an all- mountain twin would suit you fine for your stated use.
a month ago
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Lippamani
Posts: 1533 - Karma: 16,486
Oh..
Non_State_ActorHe's in Japan so I doubt any boutique American skis are going to be available in his $400- ish price range?
a month ago
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Tokyo_Dom
Posts: 5 - Karma: 41
skiP.E.I.If you are ever in Hakuba, there's a shop called Rapie where they had a great selection of used skis and gear they were selling on commission and the prices were quite reasonable. Don't look for just park skis either, an all- mountain twin would suit you fine for your stated use.


That sounds like an awesome concept. I am not really near Nagano (Tokyo, but spend my winters in Niigata), but i will check them out. Also.... I had no idea that an all mountain twin existed... I thought all twin tips were park skis haha. All mountain sounds much more like what i might want. Got any suggestions on all mountain twins i could look for?
a month ago
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,260
The Reckoners mentioned above would be considered ‘all mountain’. RMU professor 101 is a great ski that I think you’d love. Moment Wildcat, faction prodigy 2 or 3, 4frnt Devastator, Fischer nightstick 104, Blizzard Rustler 10, volkl revolt 101 would all be good options in this category that you can likely find in Japan. These skis will be more versatile than their narrower ‘ park’ counterparts, and especially better in powder but if you are mostly skiing on piste, and skiing with your young children a park ski will be quicker edge to edge and will generally have a smaller turn radius, so they still could be a nice ski to have. The Salomon depart I mentioned above would likely be perfect for you… it’s playful, light, freestyle ski and fun to ski everywhere on the mountain. It has a very quick turn radius at ~ 15m. The only problem: it’s a fairly new model from Salomon so may be difficult to find used.
a month ago
1 0
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,260
Also wouldn’t hurt to check in with some of the many backcountry outfitters/ independent rental companies- if they are upgrading their rental fleets they may be selling off their older skis.
a month ago
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Tokyo_Dom
Posts: 5 - Karma: 41
Wow, wicked advice here. Faction prodigy seems the easiest to find based on used hits. Only issue I'm finding is that not many seem to suit my sole size (315mm). What is the concensus on ski size for playfulness? I'm looking at 171 or shorter since that's my height and based on advice from a carving friend (plus that still fits in my car)
skiP.E.I.The Reckoners mentioned above would be considered ‘all mountain’. RMU professor 101 is a great ski that I think you’d love. Moment Wildcat, faction prodigy 2 or 3, 4frnt Devastator, Fischer nightstick 104, Blizzard Rustler 10, volkl revolt 101 would all be good options in this category that you can likely find in Japan. These skis will be more versatile than their narrower ‘ park’ counterparts, and especially better in powder but if you are mostly skiing on piste, and skiing with your young children a park ski will be quicker edge to edge and will generally have a smaller turn radius, so they still could be a nice ski to have. The Salomon depart I mentioned above would likely be perfect for you… it’s playful, light, freestyle ski and fun to ski everywhere on the mountain. It has a very quick turn radius at ~ 15m. The only problem: it’s a fairly new model from Salomon so may be difficult to find used.
a month ago
0 0
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5098 - Karma: 18,685
Tokyo_DomWow, wicked advice here. Faction prodigy seems the easiest to find based on used hits. Only issue I'm finding is that not many seem to suit my sole size (315mm). What is the concensus on ski size for playfulness? I'm looking at 171 or shorter since that's my height and based on advice from a carving friend (plus that still fits in my car)

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say your boots are too big but even if they aren't you can just remount the heel or toe to fit your boot pretty easily. DIY or a quick job at a shop.
a month ago
1 0
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,260
Non_State_ActorI'm going to go out on a limb here and say your boots are too big but even if they aren't you can just remount the heel or toe to fit your boot pretty easily. DIY or a quick job at a shop.


I have to agree with this. 315 mm is around a 27, which would usually be the size for someone who wears around a size 11 sneaker. For example, I’m 183 cm tall and weigh around. 90 kg and my bsl is 315 mm
a month ago
1 0
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Tokyo_Dom
Posts: 5 - Karma: 41
Awww shiii you got me 😂
It is indeed a size 27 boot... And I do regularly wear size 9 shoes. The boot rentals I had used were 25.5 to 26.0 (depending on what boots) but looking at secondhand boots (I figured if I was using rentals it would be similar to using second hand boots). These Salomon falcon boots were the closest heel/width fit, except that they were a bit longer than I need.

OK so I guess that should be on the buy list too 😅
a month ago
1 0
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7971 - Karma: 23,260
Tokyo_DomAwww shiii you got me 😂
It is indeed a size 27 boot... And I do regularly wear size 9 shoes. The boot rentals I had used were 25.5 to 26.0 (depending on what boots) but looking at secondhand boots (I figured if I was using rentals it would be similar to using second hand boots). These Salomon falcon boots were the closest heel/width fit, except that they were a bit longer than I need.

OK so I guess that should be on the buy list too 😅


Well fitting boots will do more for your skiing than any other factor. If your boots fit, the movements you make will affect your skis rather than getting lost in the boots. If your boots are too big it’s very difficult to get into a good position over the balance point of your skis, as your boots are going to hold your feet behind the boot centre where your bindings are mounted. Also it’s usually not a big deal to remount bindings to work with your boots and preferred mount point.
a month ago
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